A few days later Mr Bernard went to see Father Docherty, who was preparing to leave for Siam.
‘Thanks again for your help, Father Docherty,’ he said. ‘I hate to trouble you, but one thing’s been bothering me these last few days, been sort of rolling around in my mind.’
‘What troubles you, Mr Bernard?’ Father Docherty replied. ‘You can speak freely here, it will not go beyond these walls.’
Mr Bernard looked uncomfortable, and shifted his weight from one foot to the other restlessly. ‘Well, that’s just the thing of it,’ he said, finally. ‘I thought priests were bound by their oath of confidence. Morgan told me that you swore not to divulge the contents of his letter, but you straightway reported them to me.’
‘Ah, yes now,’ the priest sighed. ‘Although my oath to Mr Morgan was not bound by the seal of the confessional, ’tis true it was a great sin to break my word. But I had no choice. I could not go letting him send all those arms to those heathens, quite enough to start a war. Or at least not until we have a chance to convert them to the ways of our Lord. I have prayed for forgiveness, and have written to the bishop asking for absolution. You could pray for me too, if you felt like it, or you could make a small donation to our mission.’
Mr Bernard gave a wry smile, and handed over the ten dollars that Father Docherty suggested would be appropriate.
* * *
Bernard went to visit Crawfurd at the residency. He explained all that had happened, and apologized for not having notified him sooner, but events had moved too fast. When Bernard told him about the duel, Crawfurd exploded in anger, and slammed his fist upon his desk, scattering his papers over the floor. But he quickly recovered his composure, and carefully considered the situation before responding to his Chief of Police’s report.
‘You did the right thing, Bernard,’ he said at last. ‘We’ll leave the Simpsons alone, but warn them that I won’t tolerate this kind of behaviour again. Let’s go and see Morgan.’
When they arrived at the jail, Morgan was sitting dejectedly on a plank bench, his head in his hands. Whatever happened, he knew he was finished as a merchant in Singapore. He made to speak, but Crawfurd silenced him.
‘Listen to me, John Morgan,’ he began. ‘You have been nothing but trouble since you arrived in this settlement, and I’m inclined to send you back to Calcutta for prosecution. But I’ll be frank––you never know how these things turn out. They might find you guilty, or they might not. I have legal right to confiscate your arms, which I will do, since you did not seek my permission for their sale. I also have the authority to exile you from the settlement, and put you on the next ship out. But I’ll make a deal with you, if you are willing to accept my conditions. You may ship some of the muskets to the Siamese, whose trade we want to maintain and encourage. You can cite restrictions from Calcutta to explain why you cannot supply the rest of the shipment, and refund any money paid to you for it. I will do my best to have the Company or other merchants find respectable buyers to purchase the rest of your merchandise, although I can offer you no guarantees. In return you will swear that you will never to do such a thing again, and cease your arrogant and violent behaviour. Well, sir, what is your answer?’
‘Can I take some time to think about it,’ Morgan said in response.
‘No, Mr Morgan, you cannot,’ Crawford replied curtly.
‘Then I accept,’ Morgan replied. ‘I promise you will have no more trouble from me.’
‘Grand,’ said Crawfurd. ‘I’m glad to hear it and hope you mean it—you can show good faith by stopping the nonsense with your morning canon. Mr Bernard, you may release this man.’
Morgan did mean it and did keep his word. He despised Crawfurd as much as he despised Farquhar and Raffles, but he was making such huge profits from his trade with Siam and throughout the archipelago that he did not intend to jeopardize his position again. The next morning only the official gun on Government Hill signalled the beginning of the working day.